Discuss Current Situation in Syria, Promoting Peaceful Solution to Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin was received in the Vatican Apostolic Palace by Pope Francis this evening.

The meeting is the first between the Russian head of state and the Holy Father.

During the meeting, which was said to have lasted roughly 35 minutes, President Putin and the Holy Father discussed several topics of interest, including the fundamental contribution of Christianity in Russia.

A communique released by the Holy See stated that particular attention was placed on current situation in the Middle East, especially in Syria. President Putin, the communique cotinued, expressed thanks for the letter addressed to him by the Holy Father on the occasion of the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg.

They underlined the urgent need to end the violence and to bring necessary humanitarian assistance to the population, as well as promoting concrete initiatives for a peaceful solution to the conflict, which privileges the path of negotiation and involves the various ethnic and religious components, recognizing their indispensable role in society.

Yeah, strange timing, considering Obama just shut down the U.S. Embassy building to the Holy See (Vatican) and shipped the office and its staff to some kind of annex connected with with Embassy in Rome (Italy). The diplomatic equivalent of a stick in the eye.

I have gone to Russia a few times in the last couple of years, and have really been impressed with the revival of Christianity there. Churches have been widely restored from a terrible condition (having been abandoned for decades, or used for other purposes, like warehouses). Not only are they beautifully restored, but you can see deep reverence from the people visiting. The government under Putin has contributed a lot of money to restore churches.

The Eastern Orthodox churches are different, in that they are closely associated with their Nation. There is no central Pope, but rather an independent Patriarch for each country, appointed by the political head of the country. The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has his residence and office inside the Moscow Kremlin, a few steps from the Presidential Palace.

There has long been an effort to resolve doctrinal differences between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, especially during the papacy of John Paul II. So that is something that should have some mention on the agenda, but I have no idea of this Pope’s approach to that effort.

The situation in Syria is grave for Christians, and the Pope did come out on that issue, writing Putin the letter which triggered the meeting. The Christians in Syria, one of the oldest Christian Churches, have been aligned with Assad’s Russian-backed regime, because the Jihadi alternative to that regime means death for the church in Syria. Christians have been suffering widespread murder, ethnic cleansing and desecration of church property at the hands of Jihadis.

As a practical matter, anyone concerned about saving Christians and Christianity in Syria would probably get a more favorable hearing, and more effective assistance from Putin than Obama.

A trenchant analysis, FRiend! I'm certain, from what I have heard and read, that the Church in Russia is vastly more vibrant than the Church here or the Church in Europe - where it is essentially moribund.

In my parish, we pray at our Masses for the Christian communities in the Middle East, and elsewhere, who are suffering persecution. As you noted, they are our oldest communities - some dating from the First Century Anno Domini.

It is essential that we do so. But it is equally essential that the world powers, the US, the UK, France, Germany, and others representing what was referred to in my youth as "Western Civilization" take up the task of defending the rights of people to life, to individual freedom of expression, and to free exercise of religion that are at the core of our ethos and social order.

I welcome reconciliation with the Orthodox Churches. I welcome reconciliation with the Protestant denominations. I welcome reconciliation with the Jews.

I would also welcome reconciliation with the Muslims, but they would rather exterminate anyone who does not accept their doctrine.

Meanwhile, the Executive branch of our government seeks to undo the American Revolution, vitiate our Freedom of Conscience, and undermine our security.

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

who would have EVER thought that America would have an antiChristian mooselimb loving pos president and Russias president would become a big Pope and Christian backer?
Good job America electing then re-electing this douschbag simply cause he is of mixed race? Cause if he’d been born a white guy he’d be shining shoes or returning shopping carts at a wal-mart cause that is about he f-ing leval of competance.

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